Login HereEighteen months ago, the political career of Christian right golden boy Ralph Reed came crashing down, a casualty of his role in the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. This week, Reed has found a new calling. He appeared on CNN during its New Hampshire primary coverage and again last night, labeled as a "GOP political analyst."
Reed sounded none too bullish about John McCain's prospects going forward despite his big New Hampshire win. That's perhaps not surprising, given the long history between the two.
McCain, as chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, launched an investigation of Abramoff's tribal lobbying that turned up a mountain of e-mails, including some between Reed and Abramoff.
The e-mails revealed Abramoff's corrupt dealings with politicians, as well as conservative religious and advocacy groups. Reed often participated in Abramoff's business schemes, telling him in a 1998 e-mail after stepping down as head of the Christian Coalition: "I need to start humping in corporate accounts!"
E-mails and testimony before McCain's panel showed that Reed, who once branded gambling a "cancer" on society, reaped millions of dollars in tribal casino proceeds that Abramoff secretly routed to him through various non-profit front groups. Abramoff, a lobbyist for the tribes, paid Reed to whip up "grassroots" Christian opposition to prevent rival tribes from opening casinos.
Abramoff sometimes routed his money to Reed through a group called Americans for Tax Reform, run by conservative anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist. Norquist lately has been attacking McCain's record on taxes, placing robo calls to voters in New Hampshire....
A CNN spokeswoman said Reed was asked to appear on the network's primary coverage because he is a "well-known expert on the evangelical vote," and that he was not paid for the appearance....
Oh yeah, he's a well-known expert on Christian evangelicals all right. As in, "Praise the Lord, and pass the Reed family collection plate. Large bills encouraged."
More on Ralph Reed's shady past here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. For starters. I don't get to say this very often, but good for Sue Schmidt for laying it out in a concise way for WaPo readers (even if it was likely a service for the McCain camp, it's still nice to see the Ralph Reed smarm machine encapsulated in reader-friendly format). That it appeared in the WaPo is even more of a pleasant surprise, given their past history of glossing over Reed's role.
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Hi Christy
Hello, Christy…
This is slightly o/t but when I read this part of your post:
I am reminded of just how much fact checking you all do here at the Lake. My SO had a visceral reaction to a blogger being interviewed last night on TV news and I couldn’t reach him with the fact that you all do more actual journalism and investigation than the tools on TV.
I hope he will become a “late adopter” before too long.
Back to your story….again apologies for OT. esp. so early in the thread.
When is the Abramoff investigation going to court and is Ralph likely to be prosecuted?
Abramoff, a lobbyist for the tribes, paid Reed to whip up “grassroots” Christian opposition to prevent rival tribes from opening casinos.
Maybe it’s in the links, but weren’t those guys sucking money from both the tribes wanting to open casinos, the tribes who wanted protection against casino competition, and that perennial cash-cow, the Christians?
Oh, and btw, is there still such a thing as “The Abramoff Investigation”?
Ralphy the Rotten, what could he possibly say about politics as a GOP commentator? Oh, it is the GOP so I guess he fits in perfectly.
Right on about ralph there he was on Tuesday night spouting crap on cnn.
We were all surprised to see him and wondered if he was out on a work release program
All the more reason, with Tweety’s nonsense, why the TradMed really is broken.
Understatement in bold.
Also, for regular FDL readers, it’s as good as a spew warning: Set down your beverages . . .
What Peterr said.
OT I Still really HATE the tee shirt ads up now at FDL they are very close to kiddie porn as I said earlier - in terms of facial expressions, pose, age, camera angle etc. We shouldn’t be using/supporting that here.
That said I am off to a meeting and won’t be back til much later, so can’t respond on this.
It is hard to redeem what you never had.
My scandals list entry on Ralph Reed:
Steno Sue getting kudo’s at FDL?
(looking out the window for signs of a rip in the space-time continuum).
umm, anybody know what a rip in the space-time continuum would look like?
I don’t have any T-shirt ads on my page.
Too bad the WaPo didn’t come out with a similar Reed/Abramoff story before the 2004 election or even the 2006 mid term. The news is sufficently aged. The truth at that time would have helped the Democratic Party and hurt the Republicans. I guess that’s why the WaPo didn’t do it. This is a McCain fluffing. Like you said, its better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Reed needs to go to hell.
See Neil Gaiman’s ‘Stardust’?
Ralf Reed… the closest thing to a christian ho in modern times. Always for sale, but will never luv ya! ;)
Ralph Reed is like the Bush family. He and the Bush clan are insidious and will always be with us, rearing their ugly heads
I haven’t noticed them either.
I just dropped a pen and it hit the ceiling.
The ones I’ve seen, the models look to be early 20’s. I see no problem with them. Appearent age of models relative to age of viewer, maybe?
No. But I can see Kristol’s head poking through it.
Aha!!
That made me laugh out loud - thanks.
The Real Ralph Reed Revealed, I love it.
“No redemption for YOU! Next!”
Glad I could help. My wife laughs at me, but not because of my jokes.
If you are using Internet Explorer you will see an ad to the right that uses children in sexy tee shirts with provacative suggestions. I too am disgusted and offended. We should deal with this!
If it wasn’t for the Internet (and FDL), I’d have forgotten who Ralph Reed was. I wouldn’t have even known who Ralph Reed is.
okay - I tried it, and my pen hit the floor.
But then I’m commenting from Indiana - and everything gets here ten years late.
Me, neither.
The question for me has been why Mr. Reed isn’t in an orange jumpsuit? Was their some sort of devine intervention from the Bush DOJ?
I was unpleasantly surprised to flip on the tube on Tuesday night and see Wolf Blitzer standing there talking to Ralph Reed, of all people, sitting right next to William Bennett, of all people, discussing the New Hampshire primary. My wife blurted out “what is that corrupt (expletive deleted) doing on there?”
It was kind of like watching a crooked, sleazy version of Abbot and Costello.
And then there’s that other cuddly religious nut, Tony Perkins.
Sorry to go OT but I need some Firepup help with something.
I am looking for Ed*ard Teller’s site with the picture of Hugh’s list that he printed out that turned out to be 60 ft. long.
Thanks in advance, I will pop back in later.
My hope is that they are still taking measurements for him, and trying to determine how long he’ll need a room at a federal correctional facility.
OT–apologies to Christy:
Edwards reacts to Kerry’s endorsement of Obama:
Here you go!
Thank you very much.
Say, I noticed that too. Doesn’t seem like FDL type fare at all. (the tee shirt ads.)
I am offended everytime I see all the sleazy people being given air time. Newt, Tom DeLay, Oliver North, Bill Bennet, the toe-sucking guy and now Ralph Reed. Not to mention, the perpetually-wrong bunch that are still being asked for their opinion.
I’m using IE and there are no T-Shirt ads on this “Page” — The ads I can see at the moment are (from top to bottom):
Reed Maker; Casino Parties - Dallas; Ask.com; “Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires;” The Decider; and Confessions of a GOP operative. The only thing I’ve seen that could be considered “racy” was the illo for a ring tones ad.
Why do some see the t-shirt ads and others don’t? I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.
My guess is that Christy doesn’t see them either.
My lady and I feel strongly that it’s possible to be a Christian, and yet be soundly against the teachings of the Republican Party.
I can see them, and have no problem with them.
There was a T-shirt advertised the other day that said “With a T-shirt like this, who needs pants?”
ymmv obviously, but I could see me wearing that one.
Jarring incongruity - I’m a fan…
One good things for Ralphie is I think his political aspirations are over.
When you cannot get elected in Georgia (no offense to Georgians) you might as well pack it in. (other states beware)
I think the Obama campaign having Kerry come to SC is telling Edwards to get out.
It’s part of an ad service that places rotating or random ads on the screen at different times. Reload, and you may or may not get them. The site owners generally have no control over what ads appear.
whatever happened to the separation between shirts and state? :~)
Or shirts and taste.
It’s difficult for me to accept that those like Ralph Reed can do what they do, and still believe in the concept of a “Judgement Day”.
That’s the one I’m seeing rotated with milder versions. Needless to say, I can’t see Christy buying one for The Peanut. Doesn’t belong on a femblog. ;)
They don’t. They just talk to those who do believe it.
Hey, it worked! Now I can save up to 75% on last minute cruises (hopefully without the girls with the tee shirts).
I am a feminist and I am ambivalent about those T-Shirts. I am of the generation that had to dress and act like a man to get ahead in a man’s world. My daughter’s generation is different. Their attitude toward in-your-face sexuality may be a good thing. Time will tell.
Ummmm…at the moment, I see a t-shirt ad featuring PB&J as BFFs, a chocolate bunny whose tail has been bitten off, and something about a phone call, none of which are remotely offensive. It’s taken five refreshes of my screen to even find those.
As I understand it, we have an ad placement service that pops those ads in based on a rotating show, but you’d have to ask Jane or Pach for specifics on that. Personally, I haven’t seen anything offensive and the girls in the ads that I see look about 21 or 22. Just FYI…
And, I just finished eating lunch with Mr. ReddHedd, did I miss anything?
Some of them are a little raunchy. I’ve been watching for a few days. But I have also been clicking in hopes of generating revenues for you all.
I didn’t know this was a fem blog?
You missed a good short discussion on the Britney Factor (yesterday or day before?). Frankly, I’m raising my daughters so that they are neither a witch or a tramp. Nothing wrong with being proud to be a girl. A matter of taste i think.
But I get your point. I hated those floppy bow thingies on the man’s suit. *g*
Oh God, I’m commenting way too much and o/t to boot. Sorry all!
Just the rip in the space-time continuum over Sue Schmidt getting something right.
They had Coulter’s skanky ass up there the other day.
That’s foul-mouthed femblog, thanks to Sen. Susan Collins’ web dude, thank you very much. *g*
Hi Raven. I just can’t let go of the Susan Collins campaign calling all blogs foulmouthed fem blogs. It’s too delicious to forget.
Yeah, and I clicked on that too so that she would have to pay Jane some $$$
“My lady and I feel strongly that it’s possible to be a Christian, and yet be soundly against the teachings of the Republican Party.”
If you like, you can point to me as Exhibit A. At least, I qualify on both counts. Not claiming to be an *exemplary* Christian, however.
Bob in HI
Thank you. Somehow, having Ann Coulter fork over money to pay our server costs makes me laugh out loud. *G*
“My lady and I feel strongly that it’s possible to be a Christian, and yet be soundly against the teachings of the Republican Party.”
If you like, you can point to me as Exhibit A. At least, I qualify on both counts. Not claiming to be an *exemplary* Christian, however.
Bob in HI
____________
Exhibit B here. Plus being a recovering PK.
We never worried about our daughter growing up to be a sissy. She was an athlete and could easily beat up most of the guys in her crowd.
Talk about the rightwing bringing out shady characters during the primaries, they even brought out Bill Bennett, Mr. Moral Gambler Whorehouse, himself.
Biodun, thanks for posting this.
In the meantime, I’d like to say what I think of John Kerry (and have suspected for a long time,) but it’s not appropriate for a family blog.
John Edwards is better off without his endorsement.
-S
Oh, well I knew THAT. But this seems like a much more inclusive place, not myopic or single issue oriented. Otherwise you would have axed me to go away long ago.
All I can say, as a resident of Georgia, is “you have got to be fu¢king $hitting me.”
Barbara Enhienrich (sp) called em “visible christians” in Nickled and Dimed. For my money you can keep it all inside your homes and wherever you “worship”.
Excised by author before she said something too raunchy. *G*I like the Vagina Monologues, but I don’t want to read the play every hour of the day. Let’s just say that, eh?
you’re killin me over here
Happy to oblige, man. *G*
I want to share with you a quick story that showed me how quickly things had changed from my professional life in the late 70’s and 80’s to raising a daughter in the early 90’s. When I ordered her a happy meal at the drive-thru (after B-ball practice, probably) the guy at the window asked, “girl toy or boy toy?” I screamed “WHAT!?! Sexist toys!!!” And my poor daughter told me to calm down that times had changed, that it was OK. She really didn’t need the toy anyhow.
Oh go ahead. I just sent the SOB a letter. How dare he send me spam telling me to contribute to his endorsement. I hope his wife divorces him. Better yet, box his ears. Something Hillary should have done to BillyBoy years ago.
CNN let Ralph speak as a “GOP political analyst”
I guess he does have the credentials. That is, being a corrupt phony.
Hmmmm, Kristol’s head looks as if it was done by Dali. Now that’s what I call improvement! And the grin is now in it’s proper place, between his other cheeks.
I can’t think about Ralph Reed without thinking about Ralph Reed: The Graphic Novel.
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.....id%3A20871
BTW my scandals list is up to 299. I was wondering if I should make the FBI not paying its wiretap phone bills 300. What do you think?
It’s really an enchanting new Gospel:
“You know, if you just run that camel through that woodchipper enough times, it’ll get through that needle’s eye.”
Ack! Another double post. And I swear I didn’t do nothing! Mods help!
FYI, and I can’t remember where I read this, but Bill supposedly had to sleep on the couch in the sitting room area of their bedroom suite in the WH for weeks after she found out the Monica thing had, in fact, happened. Take it with a grain of salt, but I remember laughing out loud when I read it because Mr. ReddHedd would have been doing the same damned thing (and more…).
Agreed. I will and I do. I’m not a nutcase out to convert people. That’s their own responsibility to make their own choice with their own free will. Plus, there’s usually more than one way to get to any particular destination.
As a PK, though, Glock toting Huck Jr. makes me look like an angel.
Yes — piss poor planning, little to no attention to detail, and shit priorities. Absolutely horrifying, and I say this having worked with dinky law enforcement budgets myself and knowing how on top of that you have to stay constantly.
Nothin else to do? Debra LaFave will be in court this afternoon. Let the leering begin.
Oh yeah.
I just linked (again) to your list and to ET’s site with the picture of that list.
I was commenting on Doolittle(R) (CROOK) retiring.
Snicker.
Bastard belongs in jail and he knows it.
Oh yuck. Not again!
dosido, you are a PK? I had a couple of good friends who were PK’s. But they had cool parents to start with. Somewhat unusual.
Femblog? Oh, okay, I read “fernblog” at first.
I guess that means I have to google Debra LaFave to find out who she is. I must really be out of the loop.
Oh, my! The mods might want to edit in a spew alert, however!
I’m jealous. Extremely rigid wingnut. Hey, can’t argue with God! (rolling eyes) My girls loved that show 7th Heaven and it made me nauseous.
Quaker Girl, the first thing I did upon reading that excerpt above was let out a hearty “Fu*k you, John Kerry”. I bitterly regret donating one cent to his campaign last time around, and I’ll be removing myself from his mailing list TODAY.
John Edwards dared to disagree with his significant missteps re: the Swift Boaters, he urged him NOT to concede before the vote was even counted, so he’s going to take his marbles and his millions and endorse someone whose experience is thin at best?
What a freaking baby. It’s not what’s best for the country. It’s all about what’s best for John Kerry, and it always has been.
-S
foulmouthed fem blogger
I have IE and see no T-shirts…
don’t do it in your cube
Nice sum up of how much more “fight” Edwards has in him v. Kerry. For all his vet experience, etc., Kerry always seemed wimpy to me.
I’m using Firefox and AdBlock, and see no T-shirts here either.
She’s the creepy teacher seductress who’s “too pretty to go to jail”.
If it’s Thursday, it’s Tula Time!
Read the comment ‘They took Christ out of Christianity”and it seems applicable here. Back to making sawdust…
I had to run over and grab the zed for the day and then come back to continue this light hearted conversation. It has been a relief after the serious spats of the past few days.
I do like the category fern blog. We should do something creative with it.
.oO Trails…
Or it can be said that she’s a Van Halen song come to life;
Do it. It’s such a stupid scandal, I mean after all the billions we have thrown around for the War on Terra, an *actual* investigation gets derailed because we can’t pay the freakin phone bill?
Thanks. Raven warned me, so now I have an idea. I think I read about her at the grocery store check out stand.
It’s pretty lurid.
got it bad